The German violinist scored a double victory with both Artist of the Year and the Concerto Award for her recording of Ligeti’s Violin Concerto
Read more news stories here
Violinist Isabelle Faust was named Artist of the Year at the 2026 Gramophone Awards on 7 October. The German musician also received the Concerto Award for her recording of Ligeti’s Violin Concerto with Les Siècles and conductor François-Xavier Roth for the label Harmonia Mundi.
Presented annually by Gramophone magazine, the awards recognise outstanding classical recordings and artistic achievements from across the international music industry.
One of the most respected violinists of her generation, Faust is renowned for interpretations spanning repertoire from Bach and Beethoven to Berg, Bartók and Ligeti. Her extensive discography includes award-winning recordings of the Bach solo works, the Beethoven and Brahms concertos, and numerous chamber music collaborations. Since 2004 she has been professor of violin at the Berlin University of the Arts.
Faust has performed on the 1704 ‘Sleeping Beauty’ Stradivari since 1996, on loan from Landesbank Baden-Württemberg.
Additionally, the Pavel Haas Quartet won the Chamber Award for its recording of quartets by Martinů on the Supraphon label.
’We continue to be inspired and astonished by the extraordinary range and brilliance of the recordings that reach Gramophone every month, and it’s been wonderful to celebrate another superb year of music,’ said Martin Cullingford, editor of Gramophone magazine.
’Our 2026 Award winners encompass a remarkable breadth of music, from premiere recordings of music from the 18th and 21st centuries, rarely performed gems and beloved favourites; time spent with any of these albums and the wider catalogue of our special Award winners will offer listeners a truly enriching and enjoyable experience.’
No comments yet